When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

A Nottingham boy with a rare debilitating condition has taken part in a 24-hour basketball event to raise awareness of his illness.

Steven Chrich, 16, along with his school Ellis Guilford, played host to the game after coming up with the 'wacky' idea.

Fellow students, friends and family all took part in energetic fundraiser which has so far raised £5,000.

Steven, who is a year 11 pupil at the school, has the condition Friedrich's Ataxia, a disease which causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

The feat took place over 24 hours from May 26 to May 27.

Steven, who is wheelchair-bound, of Beechdale, said: "I'm exhausted, this is a bigger challenge than I expected, and I will be pleased to go home.

"I'm glad to see everyone together helping me with this.

"The money will really help and make things a bit easier for me, I'm struggling at the moment.

"Next time I will pick something a bit easier to help raise money."

Steven with mum Sue

The basketball enthusiast previously attended a wheelchair basketball club at the Harvey Hadden Stadium, which helped him meet new people and take part in a sport which he loves.

Steven's mum, Sue Chrich, of Beechdale, explained how sad it was to see her son's favourite club fall through.

The 48-year-old said: "Sadly this club shut down due to a lack of funds in October last year, so Steven wanted to help raise money to get one going again.

"The journey has been a long and hard one, we've organised prizes and sourced funds, it has been difficult but it's all paid off in the end.

"Everyone has rallied round us, they've all been very generous, even complete strangers, its overwhelming how much people have helped.

"I'll be glad to see the end of today, I'm ready for a cup of tea or a wine and bed."

The organisers are hoping to continue to raise their target of £15,000. The money raised from the 24-hour event, along with other funds will help set up a new wheelchair basketball club, provide assistive technology for Steven and pay for adaptations to his home.

Five hundred pounds will also go to the charity Ataxia UK, along with four new sport wheelchairs – which cost £1,000 each.

Sue, a school cook, added: "Steven's coordination is bad which makes other sports dramatically difficult for him, that's why he's taken to basketball so well.

"He was diagnosed when he was four-years-old, but the condition has not stopped him, he's gone on to have a healthy and fun school life.

"We're doing it for Steven."

Five players are on each of the teams and have swapped in-between whistle blows to recover – but the game has always kept going.

Stephan Jackson, Steven's mentor at the school was the head of the other team playing and said how important it was to help the young boy become independent.

The 37-year-old said: "We have worked together for three or four years now. We try to develop his independence, and if he has any issues we solve them together.

"Through the school we have developed a good friendship, and we wanted to do something so we came up with this crazy idea of playing basketball for 24 hours.

"We wanted to do something special as it's his last year in school so we thought it met the mark."